Archive | November, 2013

Longview Police continue to investigate a shooting that was reported early yesterday morning. Around 12:25 am, a call came in from the Store-n-Deli on Oregon Way, with the 911 caller reporting that there was a wounded person on the ground. When Officers arrived, they did find a wounded person, conscious and breathing. The victim told police that they had been attacked and shot by three people “wearing red.” The victim was transported to St. John Medical Center; their name and condition hasn’t been updated this morning. LPD continued to follow up on the case, stopping a car and detaining three people around 4:30 am, in the vicinity of 19th and Cypress. They haven’t reported yet on charges connected to the case. Additional details should be released later on.

An electric blanket is listed as the probable cause of a fire that damaged a home in West Kelso, also sending its occupant to St. John Medical Center with smoke inhalation. Around 8:15 am, crews from Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue were called to 305 Northwest 5th, when smoke and flames were seen coming from the house. The fire was put out within about five minutes, but the 62 year-old woman living in the house did suffer smoke inhalation during the incident. She was transported to St. John for treatment; the Red Cross is also assisting the woman with temporary shelter and other resources. No other injuries were reported. The fire did an estimated $15,000 in damage.

Thanksgiving dinner may have been delayed for some folks in West Kelso and on the lower end of Columbia Heights, as a transformer exploded yesterday morning in the 500 block of Fishers Lane. The Cowlitz PUD also says that a power line was burned in the explosion, which took place at about 10 yesterday morning. 800 Cowlitz PUD customers lost power, affecting a large portion of West Kelso, extending to Ocean Beach Highway, up Columbia Heights Road, and all the way up to Sandpiper Boulevard. All but about 20 customers in the area of the explosion were back on by 11 am, and then is took another half-hour or so to get all repairs completed.

The Sheriff’s Office and aid personnel responded to a serious motorcycle crash that happened yesterday afternoon in the 4600 block of Columbia Heights Road. A few minutes before 3 pm, it was reported that a 60 year-old man had crashed on a dirt bike, and had suffered a significant head injury. Deputies and aid personnel responded to the scene; they checked on the availability of LifeFlight, but the closest choppers were either in Eugene or Olympia. The victim was eventually transported to St. John Medical Center, where he was stabilized and then was transferred to a hospital in Portland. The man’s condition hasn’t been updated this morning. It’s noted that the victim was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

If you’re still planning a road trip over this holiday weekend, weather forecasters say that you’ll probably want to do that traveling earlier in the weekend, rather than later. The Weather Service says that a strong storm system is expected for the end of the holiday weekend, with heavy snow expected late Sunday in the mountain passes, along with the possibility of snow in the Coast Range. I-84 is expected to be impacted by the stormy weather, as is the Sunset Highway past Mount Hood, Highway 12 over White Pass and other cross-mountain byways. Heavy rains are also expected for the lowland areas on Sunday, but they’re also looking at much colder air moving in on Monday. There’s a possibility of low-level snow late on Monday, but that possibility is being called “uncertain” at this time. Forecasters are confident of even colder air moving in on Tuesday, with lows possibly dipping down into the teens Tuesday night, Wednesday night and through the rest of the week. Drivers will need to be ready for winter-type driving conditions.

Spokane-based Red Lion Hotels is announcing that several of its properties in the Northwest are going on the sales block, including the Red Lion Hotel and Conference Center on I-5 in Kelso. The chain announced this morning that they’re contracting with a specialist to sell off their hotels in Kelso, Yakima and Wenatchee, along with the Columbia Center in Kennewick, the Red Lion Pocatello and the Canyon Springs in Twin Falls. Company officials say that these are “non-strategic assets” that need significant upgrades, or are in markets where the chain has other hotels. Proceeds from the sales will be used to pay down the company’s debt and support other franchise growth. This also comes after several key retirements and departures in the company. There’s been no time line proposed on the sale as of yet.

While you’re out looking for Christmas bargains tomorrow, why not get a little something extra, then run by the J. C. Penney parking lot and drop off a donation for the 6th annual Stuff the Bus event, being put on by the Kelso School District Classified Employees. They will be accepting donations of new toys and non-perishable food between 8 am and 5 pm, with all of the proceeds supporting the Jumbo’s Toy Run and Community House on Broadway. Just look for the big yellow Kelso school bus in the parking lot next to J. C. Penney.

To heck with Black Friday, Washington Fish and Wildlife says that you need to head to the beaches for what they’re saying should be an “exceptional” opportunity to dig razor clams. Coastal shellfish manager Dan Ayres says that there have been some great digs so far this season, but he says that the dig that starts tomorrow and runs all of next week could be really outstanding. He says that if the weather cooperates, most diggers should be able to get their limits in record time. Tomorrow’s tide is set for about 4:30 pm, with all four main beaches open for digging. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks will be open for digging. Wednesday, Twin Harbors and Long Beach will be open; Thursday, Friday and Saturday, only Twin Harbors is open. The lowest tides will be occurring Monday through Wednesday. Be sure to have your current license, dress for the weather, and observe all of the catch rules and regulations.

Friday:
If you’re out gathering Black Friday bargains, you may want to stop by ZoJo Coffee on 14th Avenue in Longview, where they’ll have a package-wrapping station set up. Your donations of $1 per gift will help the Longview Community Service Center; they’re also accepting donations of socks for Love Overwhelming.

A parody of “B-grade 1930’s detective movies” opens this weekend on the Center Stage at Lower Columbia College, as they present “Bullshot Crommond.” The curtain on this hilarious show goes up at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday night. Performances continue Thursday through Saturday, along with next weekend as well. Tickets will be available at the Rose Center box office.

Saturday:
Deb Kay is presenting a Seasonal Plant-Based Cooking Class on Saturday, where you’ll get tips on cooking for your vegan-vegetarian family members and friends; they’ll also have tips on gluten-free cooking and other non-traditional cooking methods. This is being held at Country Village Nutrition Shop and Café. Seating begins at 10:45 am. Call Deb Kay at 432-4182, or check her Facebook page for additional information.

It took only about two hours for a jury to convict Longview auto dealer Sidney Potts on all six felony counts that had been filed against him, declaring that Potts was a local drug kingpin, moving large amounts of meth through this area. Today’s Daily News reports on yesterday’s verdict. Prosecutors had been working to get Potts in court for more than a year, following his arrest in August of last year. It was claimed that Potts had been using his auto dealership, Potts Family Motors, as a front for his drug-running operation. At the time of his arrest, ten thousand dollars worth of meth was seized, along with 25 cars and more than $33,000 in cash. Potts was arrested after an undercover sting operation. Getting Potts into court was also tricky, with numerous delays and two mistrials prior to yesterday’s conviction. Potts could face many years in prison, with sentencing set for Thursday, December 5th. However, Potts continues to claim innocence, and he plans to appeal the verdict.